Palo Alto Weekly 07.27.2012 - Section 2

Palo Alto Weekly 07.27.2012 - Section 2

Section 2 of the July 27, 2012 edition of the Palo Alto Weekly

Home&Real Estate
Home Front
BIRDS AND BEES ... Master Gardener Rebecca Schoenenberger will offer a free workshop on "Growing Flowers That Attract Birds, Bees, Hummingbirds, Beneficial Insects and Other Organisms" on Tuesday, July 31, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos. Information: Master Gardeners at 408-282-3105, between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday or http://mastergardeners.org GARDEN BONANZA ... Filoli will offer three days of demonstrations, walks and talks, plus crafts for children during its "Great Big Garden Bonanza" from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 3 and 4, and from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 5, at 86 Ca�ada Road, Woodside. Highlights include a walk through the heirloom orchard; as well as walks and talks focusing on everything from picking pears to preparing food or flower arranging using seasonal fruit and blooms. There's also a display of cutting garden flowers and an art exhibit, "Handcrafted and Through the Lens." All activities are included in Filoli's admission fee, which is $15 for adult nonmembers, $12 for seniors, $5 for children (ages 5 to 17). Information: 650-364-8300 or www.filoli.org (for complete schedule of events) WHAT'S COOKING? . . . Hands-on cooking classes at Sur La Table, #57 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto, include: "Summer Berry Puddings Pies and Cakes" (Saul Flores, July 28, 11 a.m., $69; "Best of Thailand" (Terrina Wong, July 28, 5 p.m., $69); "Tame the Flame: Everyday Grilling" (Kim Henderson, July 29, 3 p.m., $69); "Date Night: Surf and Turf" (Will VanBrackle, Aug. 3, 6:30 p.m., $85); "Essential Knife Skills" (Saul Flores, Aug. 4, 11 a.m., $59); "Summer Tapas Party" (Will VanBrackle, Aug. 4, 5 p.m., $69); "Fresh French Fruit Desserts" (Saul Flores, Aug. 5, 11 a.m., $69); and "Sizzling Mexico" (Will VanBrackle, Aug. 5, 5 p.m., $69). Information: 650-289-0438 or email Cooking073@surlatable.com INTRO TO ALESSI ... New and classic Alessi designs for kitchen, tabletop and home will be on display at Fibre Arts Design Studio, 935 Industrial Ave., Palo Alto, from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 28. Alessi staff will be on hand to answer questions, and at 2 p.m., Jens Menke of Alessi will offer stories behind the designs and the history of the Italian ceramic company, as well as high tea. The current exhibition at the design studio, "Hearth and Home," which explores concepts of constructed spaces, continues through Aug. 19. Information: www.fibreartsdesign.com or 650485-2121 n
Send notices of news and events related to real estate, interior design, home improvement and gardening to Home Front, Palo Alto Weekly, P.O. Box 1610, Palo Alto, CA 94302, or email cblitzer@paweekly.com. Deadline is one week before publication.
Open HOME Guide 58
Also online at PaloAltoOnline.com
Avoiding
bloodsucking insects
Mosquitos can thrive in pools, ponds or even fountains
zzzzzz. T hwack. There's nothing quite like the buzz of a mosquito to ruin a summer barbecue -- or a warm night's rest. Though 2012 has seen a decrease in mosquito activity in Palo Alto, late rains have created more possible nesting places in puddles. This excess of standing water has provided ample mosquito nesting grounds: This year so far, the Santa Clara County Vector Control District, the county sector responsible for pest control, has assisted abatement in 150 residences. Much of it occurs in foreclosed homes or in homes that have been rented out while their owners are on vacation. Mosquito season may begin as early as January, but droughts this year after heavy rains pushed the beginning of the season back to March. Typically, the season lasts from early April to late August, with
B
by Helen Carefoot a peak in June and July. While most folks don't take mosquitoes too seriously, last week's discovery of a squirrel with West Nile virus in Menlo Park brings the potential problem quite close to home. Residents should take abatement measures to prevent mosquitoes from nesting in their yards, especially in sources of still water, said Russell Parman, acting district manager of the Santa Clara County Vector Control District. Close proximity to mosquito nesting grounds mean a greater chance of being bitten and possibly contracting a disease, such as West Nile virus. Timeliness is paramount in abatement because eggs become adults in about 14 days. As mosquitoes continue to lay eggs in the water source, the water becomes a more attractive venue for other mosquitoes to nest in, causing more mosqui(continued on page 35)
www.PaloAltoOnline.com � Palo Alto Weekly � July 27, 2012 � Page 33
Page 34 � July 27, 2012 � Palo Alto Weekly � www.PaloAltoOnline.com
Home & Real Estate
Mosquitos
Read More Online
(continued from page 33)
www.PaloAltoOnline.com
For more Home and Real Estate news, visit www. paloaltoonline.com/real_estate.
toes to populate the same pond or fountain. Parman advises residents to take care of any containers of standing water. "People should empty or drain standing water of any size around the home," he said, "especially swimming pools and spas." Parman says the most common mosquito nesting grounds in Palo Alto are old catch basins and dilapidated swimming pools. Barron Park resident Nancy Hamilton experienced abatement first hand when she discovered mosquito larvae living in her fountain. "I have a portable fountain on my deck that my dog sometimes drinks out of," she said, "I watched it carefully and saw the larvae just below the surface, which looked like thin black hairs." After doing some research, she decided to replace the water in her fountain. Initially, Hamilton did not think it was possible for mosquito larvae to live in her fountain. "I didn't think I would have a problem because Palo Alto water has chloromine (a chemical used to clean water), but I was wrong. The chloromine doesn't evaporate, so it doesn't take care of the problem." Parman said Gambusia affinis, or mosquito fish, "are an extremely effective means of abatement in urban residential settings because they are environmentally friendly and able to re-populate by themselves." Originally introduced into California as early as 1922, mosquito fish have been one of the most effective non-insecticidal and nonchemical methods of controlling mosquitoes for more than 80 years, he said. The fish live near the surface of the water source and eat the mosquito eggs resting on the surface. A resilient species, mosquito fish are capable of surviving harsh conditions like water with low oxygen content or elevated salinity and only need to be planted once per season. In a given year, the fish may produce anywhere from 50 to 100 live-born young in three or four broods. Each fish is capable of eating more than 100 mosquito larvae daily. The fish can be placed in ponds and fountains, as well as some swimming pools. The fish require little upkeep and can live for two to three years. The fish do not need to be fed unless the pond they inhabit is new and without vegetation; in this case, the fish can eat tropical fish flakes. Algae are beneficial for mosquito fish, but they cannot survive in ponds or fountains containing duckweed or certain types of leaves like eucalyptus, pine, oak or pittosporum. One Barron Park resident used mosquito fish to abate her empty swimming pool after it had collected excess rainwater and was very happy with the results. "I challenge anyone to find a mosquito in that pool," she said. "They do their job and you don't have to feed them
or anything." She was also pleased with the ease of acquiring and installing the fish. "I just researched online, called the vector control agency and they set me up with them. It was really easy." The fish are available to all Santa Clara County residents with free delivery from April through October. However, it is illegal to plant mosquito fish without a county-issued permit. Also, the fish cannot be released into the wild because they are prolific and are capable of displacing natural species. If and when mosquito fish are no longer needed or reach abundance, residents can return them to the county. According to the Santa Clara County Vector Control District website, the two types of mosquitoes most commonly found in Palo Alto, the Culex and the Culiseta, lay "rafts," or groups of 200 to 300 eggs that float on the surface of stagnant water sources. A raft of eggs looks like a speck of soot floating atop the water and each raft is about a quarter-inch long and an eighth-inch wide. The Culex tends to lay eggs in man-made water sources such as sewage or ponds; the Culiseta prefers warm, sheltered, foul or polluted water such as that found in neglected swimming pools or catch basins. Both mosquito varieties have been known to cluster around creeks. n Editorial Intern Helen Carefoot can be emailed at hcarefoot@paweekly.com.
A GOOD REALTOR...
Listens carefully Communicates honestly Is responsive and resourceful Provides data to inform your decisions Works diligently until your goals are achieved AZg]e^lZeema^]^mZbel_khflmZkmmh�gbla Ng]^klmZg]lmaZmbmlZeeZ[hnmyou
How to prevent mosquitoes from nesting in your yard
� Cover containers (so mosquitoes cannot enter to lay eggs) � Remove excess vegetation � Change outdoor pet bowls and bird baths regularly � Destroy or dispose of tin cans, old tires, buckets, plastic sheeting or other containers that collect and hold water � Fill or drain puddles, ditches and swampy areas � Remove, drain or fill tree holes and stumps with mortar � Eliminate seepage from cisterns, cesspools and septic tanks � Take care not to over-irrigate lawns. To obtain mosquito fish and assistance, residents can call the district at 408-9144770/800-675-1155 or enter a request for services at www.sccgov.org (search for "mosquito abatement"). -- Helen Carefoot
COLLEEN FORAKER
650.380.0085 colleen@colleenforaker.com ColleenForaker.com
DRE# 01349099 Realtor �
Home sales are provided by California REsource, a real estate information company that obtains the information from the County Recorder's Office. Information is recorded from deeds after the close of escrow and published within four to eight weeks. 1765 E. Bayshore Road #210 Yuen Trust to L. Giam for $331,000 on 6/22/12; previous sale 7/08, $332,000 1012 Bradley Way Gonzalez Trust to G. & S. Geppert-Lal for $300,000 on 6/20/12 1224 Camellia Drive H. Chen to J. Qin for $262,000 on 6/22/12 2466 Gloria Way S. Maximo to Habitat For Humanity for $209,000 on 6/22/12; previous sale 1/07, $135,000 1238 Laurel Ave. Equity Growth Asset Management to D. Mejia for $350,000 on 6/21/12; previous sale 9/99, $250,000
HOME SALES
East Palo Alto
122 Mission Drive B. & S. Dubetsky to T. Hui for $240,000 on 6/21/12; previous sale 1/01, $381,000 2250 Ralmar Ave. Wells Fargo Bank to H. Zheng for $273,000 on 6/22/12; previous sale 12/96, $179,500 1027 Ruth Court Aurora Loan Services to A. Callejas for $246,000 on 6/20/12; previous sale 12/04, $520,000 38 3rd St. #102 Blankenburg Trust to T. Rose for $1,195,000 on 6/29/12; previous sale 3/99, $621,000 3378 Beaumont Square J. & M. Lee to R. Jain for $1,560,000 on 7/3/12 728 Brentwood Court Fournier Trust to E. & Y. Shimoni for $1,520,000 on 7/2/12 310 Costello Drive Park Trust to Golzen Trust for $2,202,000 on 6/27/12; previous sale 8/03, $1,510,000
1190 Grant Road Sun Trust to L. Yin for $1,285,000 on 6/29/12; previous sale 4/05, $1,165,000 231 Yerba Buena Ave. J. & W. Raabe to T. & C. Shaked for $2,070,000 on 7/3/12 28025 Arastradero Road Meadows Trust to Ranganathan Trust for $3,100,000 on 6/29/12; previous sale 4/88, $965,000 12445 Hilltop Drive HedayatiFlake Trust to P. & N. Tamer for $5,070,000 on 6/29/12 4270 Manuela Way Noble Trust to E. Stein for $2,325,000 on 6/29/12 26462 Purissima Road Los Altos Homes to V. & V. Sikka for $6,150,000 on 6/29/12 14085 Seven Acres Lane S. & T. Colby to T. & L. Ramgopal for $2,100,000 on 7/6/12; previous sale 5/09, $1,900,000 13303 Wildcrest Drive B. & E.
Los Altos Hills
Palo Alto
Atherton
Los Altos
(continued on next page)
Portola Valley
Menlo Park
www.PaloAltoOnline.com � Palo Alto Weekly � July 27, 2012 � Page 35
Home & Real Estate
(continued from previous page)
SALES AT A GLANCE
East Palo Alto
Total sales reported: 8 Lowest sales price: $209,000 Highest sales price: $350,000
MANSELL AND COMPANY
RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE
OPEN SUNDAY 1:30-4:30 PM
Cohen to E. Kita for $2,450,000 on 7/6/12 1440 Modoc Ave. Habitat For Humanity to M. Li for $315,000 on 6/18/12; previous sale 1/11, $257,500 269 O'connor St. O'Connor Investment to A. Jain for $1,250,000 on 6/21/12 4 Pepperwood Court B. & J. Porter to V. Pilette for $3,452,000 on 6/20/12; previous sale 2/07, $3,450,000 2426 Sharon Oaks Drive Gardner Trust to J. Browne for $1,200,000 on 6/21/12 1330 University Drive G. Morrison to Tollinger Trust for $1,058,500 on 6/19/12; previous sale 2/10, $695,000 1212 Windermere Ave. G. & X. Nickings to M. & M. Baskauskas for $310,000 on 6/21/12; previous sale 5/97, $179,000 2349 Carol Ave. Smith Trust to Diamond Trust for $1,385,000 on 7/2/12; previous sale 11/07, $1,298,000 412 Chagall St. Shea Homes to P. Vemulapalli for $772,500 on 7/3/12 405 Chesley Ave. Rosenfeld Trust to Engleman Trust for $1,800,000 on 7/3/12 1390 W. Dana St. D. Kaern to A. Drzewiecki for $889,000 on 6/29/12; previous sale 1/09, $710,000 26 Dorchester Drive S. Lin to J. Rangaiah for $670,000 on 7/5/12; previous sale 6/03, $500,000 1755 Ednamary Way #5 Chan Trust to D. Gandour for $701,000 on 6/29/12; previous sale 3/08, $710,000 135 Escuela Ave. Bialson Trust to Hon Trust for $630,000 on 7/3/12; previous sale 3/00, $391,000 193 Greyhawk Court K. Bellers to A. Tull for $685,000
Mountain View
Total sales reported: 20 Lowest sales price: $285,000 Highest sales price: $1,800,000
Menlo Park
Los Altos
Total sales reported: 6 Lowest sales price: $1,195,000 Highest sales price: $2,202,000
Palo Alto
Total sales reported: 13 Lowest sales price: $197,000 Highest sales price: $3,275,000
LOS ALTOS
425 OLD OAK COURT $2,095,000
Spacious Home, Close to Downtown. Large Kitchen with Eating Area. Formal Dining Room. Living Room with Fireplace and Vaulted Ceiling. Powder Room, Ground Floor Master Bedroom Suite. Two Additional Bedroom Suites Plus Office and Family Room Upstairs. Private, Tiered Backyard. Association Pool and Tennis Court.
Los Altos Hills
Total sales reported: 6 Lowest sales price: $2,100,000 Highest sales price: $6,150,000
Redwood City
Total sales reported: 9 Lowest sales price: $210,000 Highest sales price: $1,600,000
Menlo Park
Total sales reported: 6 Lowest sales price: $310,000 Highest sales price: $3,452,000
Woodside
Total sales reported: 2 Lowest sales price: $695,000 Highest sales price: $3,275,000
Source: California REsource
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Mountain View
LOS ALTOS HILLS
AMBIANCE OF ANOTHER ERA $4,995,000
A Long Tree-Lined Drive Leads to this Glorious Knoll-Top Setting. The Property is Situated Close to the Village, is Extremely Private and Quiet, And Offers Abundant Trees and Level, Usable Land. The Gracious Home has 3Bd, 3.5Ba, Library, Dining Room, Large Kitchen Plus Great Room, Detached 3-Car Garage. Separate 2Bd, 2Ba Guest House
(650) 948-0811
300 THIRD ST. SUITE 9, LOS ALTOS, CA 94022
on 6/27/12; previous sale 1/07, $710,500 125 Huntington Court B. Greeley to A. Solomon for $650,000 on 6/29/12; previous sale 3/03, $525,000 1437 Meadow Lane Rado Trust to J. & E. Han for $1,610,000 on 7/6/12; previous sale 5/02, $965,000 2047 Montecito Ave. #3 A. & A. Olah to Mountain View Retirement for $285,000 on 7/5/12 1935 Mt. Vernon Court #1 Vanbesouw Trust to Green Belt Investment for $340,000 on 7/5/12; previous sale 1/98, $187,500 1930 Mt. Vernon Court #7 S. Tracy to C. Chuang for $435,000 on 7/6/12; previous sale 5/05, $455,000 1438 Nilda Ave. M. & C. Walker to A. Vijendran for $1,200,000 on 6/29/12 49 Showers Drive #W201 R. Cigarrero to B. Matenciuc-Antonesc for $485,000 on 6/29/12; previous sale 5/07, $555,000
7 Sutter Creek Lane Barve Trust to T. & K. Beals for $525,000 on 6/29/12; previous sale 5/01, $440,000 476 Sylvan Ave. T. Angelotti to D. Saito for $1,641,500 on 6/29/12; previous sale 7/08, $1,380,000 32 Tyrella Court A. Kamath to M. Mammarella for $752,000 on 6/29/12; previous sale 1/98, $359,500 736 Vaquero Drive R. & J. Schaeffer to A. Powell for $830,000 on 7/3/12 2110 Windrose Place S. Brook to S. Tramiel for $670,000 on 6/29/12; previous sale 10/03, $552,000 2480 Agnes Way C. Schira to C. & L. Patnoe for $1,300,000 on 7/3/12 407 Alder Lane G. Schisler to Chan Trust for $1,521,000 on 6/28/12; previous sale 9/08, $1,668,500 2090 Columbia St. Brown Trust to C. Nebel for $1,380,000 on 6/28/12 4161 El Camino Way #E A. Stcyr to D. Mitchell for $197,000 on 6/29/12 3544 Emerson St. A. Arani to J. Liang for $1,348,000 on 7/6/12 435 Fernando Ave. L. & J. Quill to U. Erlingsson for $1,545,000 on 6/28/12; previous sale 11/01, $490,000 365 Forest Ave. #3a J. & J. Kang to D. Cohen for $1,140,000 on 6/27/12; previous sale 7/05, $960,000 3195 Kipling St. Baker Trust to D. & H. Kim for $1,939,500 on 7/6/12; previous sale 8/03, $1,500,000 300 Lowell Ave. Miller Trust to S. & C. Tierney for $3,275,000 on 6/29/12 4217 Manuela Ave. Barbeau Trust to J. Althoff for $3,000,000 on 6/29/12; previous sale 4/92, $715,000 1780 Newell Road F. Huang to M. Zanganeh for $2,850,000 on 7/6/12; previous sale 6/08, $1,486,000 568 Rhodes Drive J. & C. Wu to H. Kim for $1,900,000 on 7/2/12;
previous sale 2/91, $643,000 259 Santa Rita Ave. R. & T. Lee to Green Trust for $2,595,000 on 6/29/12 17 Cove Lane Norris Trust to P. & M. Calvinperez for $455,000 on 6/19/12; previous sale 4/88, $186,000 1936 Goodwin Ave. Farwell Trust to Altick Trust for $775,000 on 6/20/12 932 Governors Bay Drive G. Gitschel to N. Balthaser for $1,600,000 on 6/22/12; previous sale 1/07, $1,540,000 1824 Hull Ave. E. & B. Voelk to J. Roessner for $970,000 on 6/22/12; previous sale 10/07, $1,101,000 620 Hurlingame Ave. C. & R. Mendez to K. Lomeli for $210,000 on 6/15/12; previous sale 2/97, $135,000 102 Moonbeam Lane E. & P. Menor to Y. Wang for $1,049,000 on 6/19/12; previous sale 11/04, $1,075,000 530 Oak Ridge Drive M. & K. Parodi to S. Hoang for $660,000 on 6/22/12; previous sale 12/04, $676,000 385 Sequoia Ave. Finato Trust to T. Lutz for $620,000 on 6/15/12; previous sale 9/03, $450,000 807 Shepard Way Kester Trust to M. & K. Kurland for $950,000 on 6/22/12 232 Blakewood Way T. Bauer to D. Davenport for $695,000 on 6/21/12; previous sale 10/86, $155,000 7 Oak Haven Way Ihrie Trust to G. & L. Hsu for $3,275,000 on 6/20/12; previous sale 12/00, $4,350,000
Redwood City
Palo Alto
Trusted Real estate Professional
Kathleen Wilson 650.543.1094 kwilson@apr.com
Mani Razizad
President's Club
Woodside
BUILDING PERMITS
101 Alma St. Palo Alto Condo Owners Assoc., install omni antenna, GPS unit, equipment cabinet
Palo Alto
Experience
One more reason to choose Bank of America Home Loans for your home financing needs
Selling Cottages to Castles!
"Local Sales since 1986"
Call Jan today for BEST RESULTS!
Realtor, DRE00620365 ,i�`i�>�U�>`�Uʣ�Σ�
�V>}i�
Vicki Svendsgaard Senior Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS ID: 633619 650.400.6668
vicki.svendsgaard@bankofamerica.com
JAN STROHECKER
Phone: 650.465.6000
Email: mrazizad@apr.com Web: www.apr.com/mrazizad
Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Bank of America, Equal Housing Lender. �2011 Bank of N.A., Member FDIC. America Corporation. 00-62-2985D 01-2012 ARP3C451
�iV�\ 650.906.6516
>\ janstrohecker@yahoo.com
Taylor Properties U Palo Alto
Page 36 � July 27, 2012 � Palo Alto Weekly � www.PaloAltoOnline.com
Home & Real Estate
and coaxial run on roof, $15,000 551 Hilbar Lane C. Achtman, bathroom remodel, 41 sq. ft., $6,000 765 San Antonio Road, #21 R. Salome, remodel kitchen, master bathroom and hall bathroom, $n/a 4345 Silva Ave. R. de Huizon, new cabinets, some Sheetrock replacement, six LED recess lights, $24,400 674 Florales Drive B. & J. Semeria, new second-story bedroom and bathroom addition, first-story kitchen and laundry addition, remodel garage, 860 sq. ft., $219,000 742 Ashby Drive M. Schumacher, bathroom remodel, $9,000 505 N. California Ave. R. Sandel & R. Shpall, new beam in family room, remodel two bathrooms, $23,000 989 Embarcadero Road Ho, 493sq.-ft. addition of family room and bedroom, $78,991 3539 Louis Road Eichler Swim & Racquet Club, replace pool mechanical equipment, $58,000 3350 W. Bayshore Road Alexandria Real Estate Inquiries, Inc., tenant improvement, new equipment in lab space, replace storefront window, $50,000 1305 Greenwood Ave. B. Gee, addition of porch roof cover, $142,000 292 Carolina Lane J. Bracken, kitchen remodel, replace kitchen cabinet and countertop, 150 sq. ft., $17,500 2328 Greer Road P. Bailey, master bathroom remodel, $8,000 4104 Solana Drive T. Li & J. Pi, new two-story single-family residence with attached one-car garage, 3,324 sq. ft., $497,000 103 Emerson St. P. Alexander, replace bathtub with shower, $7,300 600 Bryson Ave. D. Parker, replace three sliding-glass doors, patch walls and install cabinets in master bedroom, remodel master bathroom, $22,000
Real Estate Matters
Are there foreclosures around here, and how do I buy one?
R
by Wendy McPherson the property. These notices are a matter of public record. The sites on the web that give accurate i n for mation a re the ones that you should subscribe to; subscriptions can run from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars a year. They provide numbers to call to check the status of the loan(s) and the amounts. A Notice of Default (NOD) is the first filing, where someone has defaulted on his monthly payments or on her balloon payment. Banks are obligated to publish these notices for a 90-day period. This is the time to do some diligent reconnaissance on comparable properties and try to ascertain the condition of the property. You can drive by the house, though you cannot get in, as generally someone is living there. Are there other deeds of trust/
ight now in the Town of Atherton, there are two properties that were repossessed by the banks that loaned the former owners the money to buy (or refinance). These properties have been through the foreclosure process, are currently for sale by the bank and on the open market. They are listed by real estate agents. One is listed at $11,750,000 and was on the market two years ago for $25 million. The other home is priced at $4,400,000, is in a great location, but is in marginal condition; the listing mentions that it has no appliances. There are a few of these properties available in Menlo Park and Palo Alto too.
The first challenge is finding out about these properties. There are Internet sites that you can access to find houses that have Notices of Default filed on them. Banks file these notices because the owners are not making their mortgage payments or have not paid a balloon payment due on
How do I buy one?
notes on the property? Past due property taxes? Does a family live there? This is the time to know a friendly Realtor and a title company representative. Going back to your Internet foreclosure site, the next notice you will see is a Notice of Trustee's Sale. You will see this about 90 days after the filing of the NOD. This gives the date that the property will be auctioned on the courthouse steps. There are no actual steps at 400 County Road, Redwood City, where San Mateo County properties are auctioned, but it is done outside the building. This is actually a fascinating process -- it is worth showing up at 1 p.m. (same time everyday) to watch the bidding. A man with a clipboard calls out the address of the first property to be auctioned and the minimum bid. Your Internet site should have given you the date and time of the auction and the minimum amount that the bank will accept to let you buy the property. If the amount owed to the bank is $786,456, you had better have that amount in your pocket -- yes, in your pocket -- in the form of cashier's checks made out to cash. If you don't have the exact amount, you will get a refund in the mail a few days later for your overpayment. They do not accept underpayments. The opening bid stated by Mr. Clipboard is usually the amount of the loan. However, banks have
gotten smart lately, and sometimes the opening bid is less than the loan. Banks have realized that the property may be so over-encumbered that the amount owed to them will never be realized in a regular sale. The higher priced the property, the more loathe the bank is to take it back. Banks generally figure that repossessing a house, with all the ensuing effort and cost of placing it on the market, will run them 15 to 30 percent over the cost of the loan. The above primer is a rough draft of the complete process. Many, many hiccups can happen along the way. What are the biggest pitfalls? If you never get inside the house, what is the real condition? I have seen houses where rooms are nothing but Sheetrock -- no plumbing, appliances or fixtures. Is there some loan or tax lien that was not cleared from title? Who is still living there? Do you want to be the one to evict a family? Are there permit issues? Zoning problems? Termites? The list of potential issues is substantial. The rewards can also be substantial, but this process is definitely for those with large wallets and iron stomachs. n Wendy McPherson manages about 145 agents for Coldwell Banker in two Menlo Park offices, plus Woodside and Portola Valley. She can be reached at WMcPherson@cbnorcal.com.
LEANNAH HUNT & LAUREL HUNT ROBINSON ARE PLEASED TO PRESENT...
STUNNING LADERA HOME
PRESTIGIOUS OLD PALO ALTO
ituated in the award-winning Las Lomitas School District, this spacious remodeled residence features impeccable interior design. The 4 bedroom home includes a fabulous Master Suite with adjacent nursery/ o ce area and a custom walk-in closet. A beautifully landscaped private yard on a terraced lot with lush lawn area and expansive rear deck with views complete this elegant home. t #FESPPNT t #BUISPPNT t
TRGUPGMJWJOHTQBDFQFSDPVOUZSFDPSET t
TRGUMPUQFSDPVOUZSFDPSET t 0VUTUBOEJOH-BT-PNJUBT4DIPPM%JTUSJDU
S
700 La Mesa Drive, Portola Valley
T
521 Lowell Avenue, Palo Alto
Open Sunday 1:30-4:30pm
NEW PRICE at $2,295,000
www.700LaMesa.com
Open Sunday t #FESPPNTP� DFOPPL 1:30-4:30pm t #BUISPPNT t-JWJOHBSFB
TRGUQFSBSDIJUFDUTQMBOT NEW PRICE at $4,269,000 t -PU4J[F
TRGUQFSDPVOUSZSFDPSET t &YDFMMFOU1BMP"MUP4DIPPMT8BMUFS)BZT&MFNFOUBSZ
+PSEBO www.521Lowell.com .JEEMF
1BMP"MUP)JHIoCVZFSUPWFSJGZFOSPMMNFOU
his elegant residence located on one of Old Palo Alto's most desirable streets features 4 bedrooms plus a detached guest quarters and artist studio, situated on a lot of 9,000 sq ft. An entry foyer welcomes the visitor to this ne home with hardwood oors throughout the main house. The oor plan is highlighted by 4 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms upstairs and an open kitchen family room on the ground oor. Custom designer details throughout. A gorgeous landscaped private garden completes this lovely traditional home.
L aurel Hunt Robinson
PALO ALTO LOS ALTOS LOS ALTOS HILLS MENLO PARK
L eannah Hunt
LEANNAH HUNT & LAUREL HUNT ROBINSON www.LeannahandLaurel.com lhunt@serenogroup.com laurel@serenogroup.com (650) 475.2030 (650) 475.2035
DRE# 01009791
ATHERTON PORTOLA VALLEY
DRE# 01747147
WOODSIDE MT. VIEW REDWOOD CITY ...AND THE ENTIRE MID-PENINSULA
www.PaloAltoOnline.com � Palo Alto Weekly � July 27, 2012 � Page 37
Page 38 � July 27, 2012 � Palo Alto Weekly � www.PaloAltoOnline.com
www.PaloAltoOnline.com � Palo Alto Weekly � July 27, 2012 � Page 39
Page 40 � July 27, 2012 � Palo Alto Weekly � www.PaloAltoOnline.com
Open Saturday & Sunday 1:30 - 4:30
Los Altos
724 Berry Avenue
Quality Is A Universal Language
4BD + Office / 3.5BA 2,744 +/- SQ FT Offered at $1,998,000
JEFF STRICKER
Broker & Attorney 650.823.8057 jstricker@apr.com
STEVE TENBROECK
Broker, President's Club 650.450.0160 stenbroeck@apr.com
JeffandSteve.com
www.PaloAltoOnline.com � Palo Alto Weekly � July 27, 2012 � Page 41
OLD PALO ALTO SPANISH-STYLE CHARMER
Ope nS S at & un
U���i`��]���>�� Uʣ]����v��}��i>]�x]�����v���-�i ������i�w�i`�L��>�*i�,i>��î ��`i�>`���]����V>��V�"`�*>���i��� Li>��v���w ��i`����V>�>V�i��>`����i�Liw ���}���� i>���i��>}i���>Viv��>�Vi��>`�>��i`��i`��v�i��`i� �i�i���-�>��>�V�iV���i��i��`i]��i���� ի`>�i��>`�w �i�w ��i�ʫ�i�i��>��`i�v��>L>Vi� v��i�i��`>���}�q�}�}i����iw ��i`�>�`�`� y ���]�v�i�ʫ>�����}��]ʫ���>��i`ii`�Viv��� �Vi�>`�>��i��L>̰��`i�>Vi`�>`�w ��i`� L�����>``��y �i�Li�ë>Vi�v��>��>�i���v���i���i� �iʫ��>�i��i>���>�`�LiV��}>�`i}�>`���`�� i�ḭ��v���]ʫ���>�V�ii��V>���>�� �����
>��>]�ë�}]�`}]�>`�i�Vii���V�� ������i��>�>ް
2330 EMERSON STREET
Offered at $1,695,000
Jolaine & Jack Woodson
*OLAINE#ELLs*ACK#ELL JWOODSON APRCOMsJACKWOODSON APRCOM
49 Politzer Drive, Menlo Park
y r da a tu ay und S &
Op
en
S
enjoyment. There is plenty of room for expansion while maintaining a spacious and tranquil garden sanctuary. The 2 bedroom/2 bath home features an updated kitchen (completed in 2010), a gracious living room overlooking lovely gardens, an oversized family room/dining room combination opening to the back gardens , and teak hardwood floors in the main living areas. Excellent Menlo Park School District
N
estled on a large and private lot in West Menlo Park, this spacious home offers many opportunities for
Offered at $1,998,500
Virtual tour available at www.SallyJonesHomes.com
SALLY JONES
Cell:650.255.9601
www.SallyJonesHomes.com DRE# 00690964
Page 42 � July 27, 2012 � Palo Alto Weekly � www.PaloAltoOnline.com
S E R E N O G R O U P OPEN HOMES
SUN 1:00-4:00
70 CUESTA DR 515 TYNDALL ST 78 CUESTA DR
FOR
JULY 28 TH & 29 TH
SUN 1:30-4:30
SAT & SUN 2:00-4:00
10550 MIRA VISTA AVE, CUPERTINO
101 2ND STREET, LOS ALTOS
1120 CASCADE DRIVE, MENLO PARK
SAT & SUN 1:00-4:00
70 CUESTA DR 515 TYNDALL ST 78 CUESTA DR
SUN 2:00-4:00
SAT & SUN 1:30-4:30
234 PEPPERMINT TREE TER #1, SNYVL
1667 MERCY STREET, MOUNTAIN VIEW
697 PETTIS, MOUNTAIN VIEW
SUN 1:30-4:30
SUN 1:30-4:30
SUN 1:30-4:30
1983 SAN LUIS AVE #33, PALO ALTO
521 LOWELL AVENUE, PALO ALTO
1543 ASHCROFT WAY, SUNNYVALE
3$/2$/72/26$/726 6$5$72*$/26*$726 :,//2:*/(16$17$&58= WWW.SERENOGROUP.COM
This information was supplied by reliable sources. Sales Associate believes this information to be correct but has not verified this information and assumes no legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to their own satisfaction. Sereno Group DRE # 01519580.
www.PaloAltoOnline.com � Palo Alto Weekly � July 27, 2012 � Page 43
-XOLDQD -HII /HH .HOOHU
MBA/LLB Stanford MS
Juliana Lee is the #1 agent in Palo Alto for sales completed in the last 10 years
www.JulianaLee.com (650) 857 - 1000
Fluent in Mandarin
3728 Feather Lane
Palo Alto
3 BR/2.5BA | 1,629 sq. ft Living Space | Built in 2009 | Top Schools: Gunn High, JLS Middle, Palo Verde Elementary
O
Bright Sun- lled Contemporary Condo
ne of Summerhill Homes' distinctive newer developments in Palo Alto, this perfectly situated tri-level condo has the appeal of a single family home. The interior spaces are light lled with ample windows and high ceilings. The spacious patio o of the living room creates an inviting outdoor living space in addition to the beautifully landscaped common grounds throughout the condo community: walkways, BBQ, and children's play area. All this in one of the best locations on the Peninsula with its proximity to Stanford, the best public schools, shopping, recreation, and businesses. This home is not to be missed!
O ered at $1,050,000
Page 44 � July 27, 2012 � Palo Alto Weekly � www.PaloAltoOnline.com